1.3 Overview of the social, political, military and economic structures of the Eighteenth Dynasty Flashcards
Social Structures 1
Increased number of foreigners residing permanently in Egypt
Social Structures 2
Establishment of ‘foreign quarters’ in major cities e.g Memphis
Social Structure 3
Increased number of foreign princesses and concubines in royal harem e.g Mitannian, Babylonian, Syrian
Social Structure 4
Introduction of foreign gods and establishment of priesthoods, e.g Baal, Astarte
Social Struture 5
Incorporation of foreign elements into Egyptian names e.g Baal-Khepeshef
Social Structure 6
Society structure:
1. Pharaoh: as both god and king was the supreme power in the land
2. Government officials: Eg. Vizier under whose authority the day-to-day organisation of the country was carried out
3. Soilders
4. Scribes
5. Merchants
6. Craftsmen
7. Farmers & slaves
Political Structure 1
Increased number of co-regencies e.g Amenhotep III and Akhenaten, Akhenaten and Smenkhkare
Political Structure 2
More prominent role played by queens in government, e.g Mutemweya, Tiye, Nefertiti
Political Structure 3
Foreign policy based on diplomacy, political marriages and negotiation of alliances rather than constant campaigning (wars and invasions)
Political Structure 4
Increased use of diplomatic correspondence to maintain links with foreign rulers e.g the Amarna Letters
Political Structure 5
Relocation of capital from Thebes to Memphis and Akhetaten
Political Structure 6
Increased practice of appointing administrative officials from the army and from outside Thebes
Military Structure 1
Had a strict hierarchical organisation headed by the pharaoh, who was advised by a council made up of the vizier and the most senior military officers. The main divisions of the army were the infantry and the chariotry; there were other units, each with its own hierarchy of officers.
Military Structure 2
Army leaders enjoyed high status and influence
Military Structure 3
The military relied on scribes to keep records of weapons and equipment, campaigns, casualties, booty and prisoners
Economic Structure 1
Increased wealth from trade and tribute
Economic Structure 2
Increased demand for foreign labor and resources
Economic Structure 3
The most important officials were the viziers of the north and the south. Answerable to them were the overseers of important departments such as the treasury and the granaries.
Economic Structure 4
The Overseer of the Treasury was responsible for all taxation, which was paid in grain and cattle. This was stored in temple and state granaries for redistribution in the form of wages to state officials and workers.
Economic Strucutre 5
The Overseer of the Granaries supervised a large network of scribes who kept detailed records of the intake, storage and distribution of grain and other supplies.
